Colorado Springs Man Sues 9 Cops For Abuse, Civil Rights Violations

Nine Colorado Springs cops are named as defendants in a civil right’s lawsuit filed by a Colorado Springs man in Federal District Court over his treatment by the police two summers ago.

Grant Bloomquist claims his civil rights were violated and that he suffered physical and emotional abuse at the hands of the officers he is suing. The City Attorney’s Office responded by denying the allegations and claiming that Bloomquist broke the law by interfering with an arrest. Bloomquist was acquitted of any criminal wrongdoing from the incident.

It all happened just after midnight on July 4, 2013. Bloomquist said he was leaving Cowboys Nightclub with a group of friends when saw a pair of officers “brutally punching and kicking” a black man. He asserts that he called out to them to “get off him.”

The suit then states an officer “ran up and performed a fist strike to Mr. Bloomquist’s face, striking him in the nose area,” and “immediately grabbed Mr. Bloomquist by the back of his shirt with his left hand and the top his head with his right hand and then quickly escorted Bloomquist to the ground.”

Bloomquist said he he was knocked unconscious and convulsing on the ground when an officer flipped him on his stomach and placed a knee onto his head.  He alleges he suffered a concussion from the blow but was denied medical care.

Bloomquist is suing three for their actions and the other six for failing to restrain their fellow officers.

In response to the suit, the City Attorney’s Office denied nearly all the allegations. They wrote asummary of the case for city council which states Bloomquist didn’t say anything, but rather “inserted himself into the situation, went over the back of an Officer, grabbed the man and began pulling the man away from the Officers.”

Bloomquist said he endured emotional pain and suffering and mental anguish and is seeking actual and punitive damages. He also asked for a formal written apology from each defendant, imposition of policy changes within the Colorado Springs Police Department, an explicit prohibition against retaliation and disciplinary action against the officers.

The City said in response that Bloomquist not entitled to damages because he acted in violation of the law, and that the amount of force used was reasonable under the circumstances and was used in protection of the officers and others. They go on to say the officers did not act with malice, and that their actions were not deliberately indifferent, willful or wanton.

The City Attorney recommended Monday that City Council have their office represent the police officers in the suit because they believe the City is required to do so under Colorado Governmental Immunity Act and Peace Officer Liability Act.